Adjustable shelf mechanism.



M. H. SMITH. lDJUSTABLE SHELF MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 20, 1912.

Patented May 20, 1913.

WITNESSES:

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPn 50., WASHINGTON, D c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MICHAEL H. SMITH, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

ADJUSTABLE SHELF MECHANISM.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that'I, MICHAEL H. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Shelf Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in adjustable shelf mechanisms.

The object of my invention is to provide novel mechanism by which a shelf'may be easily raised or lowered and securely held in the position to which it may be adjusted.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the preferred form of my invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved shelf mechanism. Fig. 2 is an 1 end elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the dotted line ab of Fig. 2, the parts being shown enlarged. Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross section on the dotted line ccZ of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a crank which may be employed to turn the worm.

Similar reference characters designate similar parts in the different views.

1, 1 designate two vertical posts on which are respectively vertically slidably mounted two shelf members 2, each having laterally extending flanges 3 and 4 disposed one above the other and respectively provided with notches 5 and 6 in which is located the adjacent post 1. Two U shaped bolts 7 extend horizontally through the members 2 respectively between the flanges 3 and 4, and respectively embrace the posts 1. On the U shaped bolts 7 are nuts 8 located at opposite sides of the members 2. By proper adjustment of said nuts the members 2 may be made to tightly clamp or slidably engage the posts 1. Above the flange 4 of each member 2 are flanges 9 disposed horizontally at opposite sides of the adjacent post 1 and forming with the flange 4 channels in which are located longitudinally adjustable members 10 provided each with a longitudinal slot 11 in which is mounted a clamping bolt 12 which engages the adjacent member 2. Each member 10 is provided in its upper side with a notch 13, preferably semicircular in form. Horizontal bars 14 are mounted in the notches 13, and are adapted to support boxes or other articles.

Respectively secured to the posts 1 above the shelf members 2 are shaft supports. One

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. June 20, 1912.

Patented May 20, 1913.

Serial No. 704,880.

of these shaft supports comprises two members 15 and 16 which have on adjacent sides vertical grooves 17 in which is located one of the posts 1. Bolts18 extend through the members 15 and 16 and are provided with nuts 19 by which the bolts are caused to tightly clamp the members 15 and 16 to the post 1. The member 15 is provided with a horizontal hole forming a shaft bearing in which is mounted rotatively a shaft 20. The other shaft support comprises two members 15 and 16 also connected with each other by clamping bolts 21, and provided with cooperating vertical grooves 17 in which is mounted the other post 1. The shaft 20 eX- tends into and is rotatively mounted in the member 15. Rigidly secured to the shaft 20 are drums 22 to the peripheries of which are secured the upper ends of ropes 23, which are adapted to be wound on the drums, and which have their lower ends respectively secured to two U bolts 24, the lower ends of which encircle the bolts 7 as shown in Fig. 4. The member 15 is provided with two downwardly extending arms 25 having horizontal holes in which are rotatively mounted a worm 26 which meshes with a worm wheel 27 which is rigidly secured to the shaft 20. One end of the worm 26 is squared so that it may be easily gripped with a wrench, not shown, for the purpose of turning the worm to raise or lower the shelf. As shown in Fig. 5 acrank 28 having a square socket 29 tted to the squared portion of the worm 26, may be provided for turning the worm. By applying the crank 28 to the worm the worm may be turned, thereby turning the worm wheel 27, shaft 20 and drums 22 so as to wind or unwind the ropes 23. The shelf may thus be raisedor lowered to the position desired. then be adjusted so as to cause the U bolts and members 2 to tightly clamp the posts 1, thus preventing the shelf from falling in case the ropes 23 should become weakened If desired, the nuts 8 may on said posts respectively, two shaft supports provided with means for being clamped to said posts respectively, a shaft rotatively mounted in said shaft supports, a worm wheel secured to said shaft, a worm rotatively mounted on one of said shaft support-s and meshing with said worm wheel, and means actuated by said shaft for lift ing said shelf members.

2. In an adjustable shelf mechanism, two vertical posts, two shelf members slidable on said posts respectively, two shaft supports mounted respectively on said posts,

., each shaft support comprising two post clamping members and bolts connecting said post clamping members, one member of each shaft support having a shaft hearing at one side of the adjacent post, a shaft rotatively mounted in said bearings, means for rotating the shaft, and means actuated by the shaft for lifting the shelf members.

3. In an adjustable shelf mechanism, two vertical posts, two shaft supports mounted respectively on said posts, each shaft support comprising two clamping members and bolts extending therethrough, one of the clamping members of one shaft support having two arms a shaft rotatively mounted in said two shaIt supports and disposed be tween said two arms, a worm wheel secured to said shaft, a worm rotatively mounted in said arms and meshing with said worm wheel, a shelf slidably engaging said posts,

and means actuated by said shaft for lifting said shelf.

4. In an adjustable shelf mechanism, two vertical posts, two shaft supports mounted respectively on said posts, a shaft rotatively mounted in said shaft supports, means for rotating said shaft, two channel shelf members respectively slidably mounted on said posts, each channel shelf member having in its flanges notches in which the adjacent post is mounted, guides in said shelf members between the flanges thereof and respectively engaging said posts for retaining the posts in said notches, and means connected with said shaft for lifting said shelf members.

5. In an adjustable shelf mechanism, a shaft support comprising two members one of which is provided with a shaft bearing, and means for clamping the two members together, one of the members having two arms, a shaft rotatively mounted in said shaft bearing, a worm wheel secured to the shaft, and a worm meshing with the worm wheel and rotatively mounted in said two arms.

6. In an adjustable shelf mechanism, a shaft support comprising two members hav ing on adjacent sides parallel cooperating grooves, one of the members having a shaft bearing disposed transversely to the groove in said member, and clamping bolts connecting said members, a post disposed in said grooves and clamped by said members, one of said members having two arms, a worm rotatively mounted in said arms, a shaft rotatively mounted in said shaft bearing, and a worm wheel secured to the shaft and meshing with said worm.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MICHAEL H. SMITH.

Witnesses WARREN D. House, E. B. House.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Iatents, Washington, D. C. 

